[SusanHH]

we will be traveling all through the state this summer looking for a town that we can fall in love with......there are so many on the map I am getting overwhelmed.

We want a town that is not too big as to be a city, but not so small that there isn't a decent place to eat, some cool shoppes and hopefully a bookstore or two. Would like to be near a nice golf course, winter sport area and water (lake, rive or stream for fly fishing). Wouldn't mind being near a college either.

Am thinking of some altitude to help with bugs and summer heat....

Any suggestions on how I shoul plan my route? We expect to take a few weeks to check out Vt. and NH.

thanks

[flu189]

Originally Posted by SusanHH

we will be traveling all through the state this summer looking for a town that we can fall in love with......there are so many on the map I am getting overwhelmed.

We want a town that is not too big as to be a city, but not so small that there isn't a decent place to eat, some cool shoppes and hopefully a bookstore or two. Would like to be near a nice golf course, winter sport area and water (lake, rive or stream for fly fishing). Wouldn't mind being near a college either.

Am thinking of some altitude to help with bugs and summer heat....

Any suggestions on how I shoul plan my route? We expect to take a few weeks to check out Vt. and NH.

thanks

Hinesburg and Huntington seem to fit quite a bit of the above criteria, but then again so do many other towns such as Middlebury, Manchester, etc. It's here for the taking, and we take both Visa and MC. I would say research the amenities and venues important to you and then create a plot map for the state broken down by the actual town boundaries within their respective counties. Then come visit and check out each area whereby you can personally get a feel for and rate the prospects. There are many places which may fit your desired criteria, however, depending on your economic power you might be priced out of your dreams in many of the locales. In any case do some research before you come to save time and miles so you can focus on the areas that most closely match your desires.

[mustmove]

Norwich and Woodstock on the Eastern side. As flu189 said there are a lot of places that fit. Getting all of the big world conveniences in one town in VT might turn out to be a bit limiting.

[vter]

Definately check out the Middlebury area. Middlebury itself is low in elevation, but you could buy in nearby Ripton and be at high elevation and closer to the Rikert X-Country Ski Center and the Snow Bowl for downhill during the winter months.
The Otter Creek flows through Midd which has good fishing as well as many tributary rivers/streams in the area (Middlebury River, New Haven River, etc) and Lake Champlain is not too far away.

[chaz longue]

In addition to all the towns mentioned above, I'd strongly suggest Richmond, VT. It meets all of your criteria: There's a good ski area just up the road, and there are several nice places to eat, including one which offers great live music on a regular basis. There's no bookstore, but there's an excellent library, a terrific little video rental shop, and Burlington (with several good bookstores and 4 colleges/universities) is 15 minutes down the road. Fishing and swimming are easy to find once you begin to make friends in the area. Richmond also has it's own interstate exit, which you'll be glad to know is actually a few miles out of town.

[atypicalLIer]

This post sounded familiar -- looking back in the OP's history, she requested this information last year as well.

Deja post!

[SusanHH]

looked for info last year, but decided to take the opportunity and went to Turkey instead - and heaven knows where all my 'summer place' notes are. this year am committing to narrowing my search in New England (probably July).

I do a lot of research (hence finding this site), but after awhile the lists of towns via reference pages gets soooo long. I prefer to hear from the 'natives'.

I will need to find the best way of meandering through the state (NH, too) without missing any of the good options yet not backtracking if possible.

The areas surrounding the college towns, sound like wonderful possibilities--.S

[DreamworksSKG]

VERMONT SUGGESTIONS:

I might suggest the Northeast Kingdom
its beautiful country with lots of outdoor recreational activities.
I am sure you might see a moose or two and bald eagles.
maybe even a deer or bear

Newport is a small town but has services
and is right near the canadian border.

You'd only be 40 miles from burlington and 40 from Montreal for sightseeing trips and weekend jaunts.

A few links on the Newport Area

Quilts by Long Meadow Farms Quilts - Longmeadow Farms Quilts

Here's an overview of the community - pictures etc
USA,VT,New England, Newport Vermont

USA,VT,New England, Newport Vermont

Newport is on Lake Memphremagog
a huge lake
that extends into Quebec
lots of boating and recreation activities

Lake Memphremagog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lake Memphremagog
aerial view
http://magogquebec.homestead.com/fil..._magog_air.jpg

MAGOG Quebec
Magog & Lake Memphremagog

Vermont North Country Chamber of Commerce
Vermont's North Country Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Kingdom, Lake Memphremagog - Contact us

Memphre
the legendary sea serpent of Lake Memphremagog
Memphre™ the Sea Serpent of Lake Memphremagog - USA-CANADA

More on newport
Newport, VT - Newport City's Place in Northeast Kingdom History

Dining in Newport and vicinity
Vermont Restaurants and VT Dining

Wilder than sky
Children's books and pastimes
Wider Than The Sky, Children's Books & Pastimes


Woodknot Bookshop
- maps.google.com
137 Main St # 4, Newport - (802) 334-6720
Woodknot Bookshop - Newport, VT


Jay Peak is nearby
Ski area
Jay Peak Resort


You might also look into the Lake Champlain area near Burlington

Middlebury might work though its a bit more congested being a college town

Vergennes , just north of Middlebury is a nice area as well

You might also look into the South Hero-Grand Isle
area on the island near Burlington
in the middle of Lake Champlain

ST J's - St Johnsbury might be a good central location in northern New England
has a lot of services and attractions nearby

Also St Albans is a growing area north of Burlington

The Capitol area - Montpelier or Waterbury might be good as well , also central locations in the state

I have also heard good things about the Rutland area, Northfield,
Quechee, White River Junction area,

Further South
Manchester, Arlington Vermont is a decent area.


The Stowe Area is quite nice with services and recreation

--Hope this helps- With your research

Sincerely,
Jeff D
Winchester, MA

[DreamworksSKG]

There's a good pub eatery on the Lake as well
The Marina at East Side Restaurant & Pub - Newport VT. Lake Memphremagog Boat Launch
The East Side Restaurant & Pub - Newport VT. Fine Dining and Vermont Weddings on Lake Memphremagog

--Jeff--
Winchester, MA

[SusanHH]

Wow! how can such a small state offer so much? thanks for all the ideas--there were plenty of town, I had never heard of...now I have to manage the logistics of a driving trip that can cover all these best areas (am doing NH as well).

Thinking of staying in some B&Bs and moving every few days to a new vantage gpoint from which to check out the surrounding areas. Have to figure out if a loop is better or to stay on the border of Vt and NH and cover the southern regions then move to the middle and so on.....there are a lot of towns to visit! Although We do have several weeks!
S